The Amazing Legacy of Star Trek

Captain Kirk and the Enterprise remain a cult classic after five decades.

By Corine Gatti

The original television show Star Trek was never expected to become a cultural icon that has remained steadfast for 50 years. The show debuted in 1966 depicting the crew on the Starship Enterprise working to save humanity, and has become a cult classic.
We could not start this feature without the following monologue as Captain Kirk said: “Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.” So cue the music, and the memories of the Starship Enterprise, and its mission. How did a show that was only on for four years become such a success? Star Trek was created by Gene Roddenberry, and was ahead of its time. They used devices that looked like cell phones (flip phones), and used computers, along with space explorations, something we’re currently familiar with with. The show also introduced the first African American woman on television. Nichelle Nichols played Lieutenant Uhura, and shared television's first interracial kiss--something never seen before on television, pretty much like most of crew. Let us join the journey of the Enterprise and look at some facts.